I'm new to these boards but not new to cruising. We've been on two Disney cruises and we are now branching out since the kids are getting older (18 & 11) and Disney is getting greedier!!

We are looking at an 8 night cruise on the Carnival Miracle out of NY in April (the 22nd) of 2009 that has stops in San Juan, Turks & Caicos and Bahamas, I believe.

Can anyone tell me what the differences are? Disney does free sodas on a certain deck but I think I read something about a soda card? Can someone further explain?

Has anyone here been on Disney as well as Carnival? I'm curious about the room size comparison as well.

Also, I haven't read much on the Miracle. I see that it's not too old ... anyone have any thoughts on this ship specifically or other things to consider?

Thanks everyone!

Kat

Welcome to cruise chat. Soda cards are available on Carnival, I've not used one but my friends have, you need to get the soda at a bar, can't have it delivered but a good deal for those who drink a lot of soda.

I have not sailed Disney so I will leave the comparisons to other members. But I think your children are ready for a new Carnival Fun Ship experience.

I have yet to have a cruise so i guess you can take my opinion with a grain of salt lol

But my friend sailed on Disney her whole childhood and her family was reluctant to do another ship but Disney is so expensive and they found themselves saving more money with Carnival and enjoying themselves more (especially when she hit her upper teen years) She said even though it isn't Disney Carnival can be very family oriented and it is basically what you make it.

I'm close to the age of your oldest, I am very excited for Carnival

And Like I said I have never been on a cruise but I have done a whole lot of research (it's how i found this site) and soda cards are pretty pricey unless you drink at least 3-4 sodas a day. I am a huge soda person but thinking logically I may just stick with water and maybe specialty drinks as a treat

Carnival has special events for the younger ages. Your 18 year old may be outside the range for the O2 Club but your 11 year old is the right age for one of the Camp Carnival groups. I've heard good things about the activities they do. My daughter is a dancer with Carnival and they have special arrangements to meet with Camp Carnival to talk about ship life and professional dancing. I expect this is the equivelant of meeting with Mickey Mouse on the Disney ships.
There will be a Carnival Capers newletter each day that will tell you what is available. Be sure to ask a social host when you board about signing up for one of the children programs. Look for a crew member with Red Blazers, Blue pants, Name Tags,and a Huge Smile

I have been on both Disney & Carnival. Carnival it lots cheaper than Disney....all we could afford on Disney was a 3-day cruise & it was still over 2000.00 for 3 people. We have things that we like about both lines. Disney of course has the free soda, Carnival you can buy a soda card or bring your own 6 pack. We really liked the children's club on Disney better but our daughter has never complained about the activities on Carnival either. I have only stayed in an interior room on Carnival but had a balcony on Disney which I can say was very nice (but I wasn't paying my mother was) I believe with you having older children that they would enjoy Carnival just as much as Disney. Disney shows are much more entertaining than Carnival. Really in the end they are both nice you will just have to try & see what fits you best.

Disney and Carnival are totally two different experiences. The cabins are comparible, Disney and Carnival have some of the largest in the industry. Disney cabins may be still slightly larger per square foot, and they have bathtubs where Carnival has showers. Your dining experience will be different on Carnival. You will eat in the same main dining room each night (unless you choose to go to the buffet, or reservation only restaurant.) The colors on Carnival ships can sometimes be loud, they often have whimsical themes. The Miracle is one of their louder ships. (Not all their ships are this way and have beautiful wood tones). The shows on Disney are all Disney themed and have entertainment in them to humor both the children and adults. Carnival has great shows but are broadway themed, or Las Vegas type revues, comedians, and jugglers. Of course you have the casino on Carnival, Disney you don't (that space is used for the Ocean Adventure Club on Disney). Your children should enjoy Camp Carnival's activities, and have plenty to stay active. They are two separate products that meet different needs and that should be kept in mind when making a comparison. I have enjoyed all my Carnival and Disney cruises though and had great times on both.

Hello. I've sailed on both and we've enjoyed every cruise we've taken.

On Disney, there are a few perks that we enjoyed. The pools are not salt water. They have a movie theater that runs new films. The interior cabins are slightly larger, with the bathtub that Cruise Fanatic mentioned. The shower is an issue for some young kids. Excellent service. The shows are spectacular. My five-year-old loved the shows and meeting the characters made her whole trip. My family does not drink enough soda to make the soda card worthwhile, or to make Disney's free soda a big deal. The dining room staff on both lines make a special effort with the kids, at least in our experience.

I can't compare the kid's programs, cause my kids usually won't go to them. Disney is overall more family-oriented. There is an "adults only" section on the pool deck. There are bars, thank goodness, but I did not see the drunken free-for-all that usually entertains me on Carnival's Lido deck.

For us, Carnival is our regular vacation and Disney was probably a one-of. We might do it again when we can afford the new Northern European itinerary.

Hello, we were on the carnival triumph on december 2006 and it was really bad, the ship had a really old look, the wirpools din't work, the food was bad overall 2 of 10. but that was my expirience we have been in